The Spectre of Alexander Wolf

The Spectre of Alexander Wolf is a psychological thriller and existential inquiry into guilt and redemption, coincidence and fate, love and death. It is a singular classic by Gaito Gazdanov, a Russian émigré writer who fought in the Russian Civil War and became a prominent novelist, essayist, critic, and short-story writer.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2023
Publisher: Pushkin Press

A captivating enigma... a mesmerizing literary masterpiece

Antony Beevor
This novel is truly unsettling, offering a peculiar contemplation on mortality, warfare, and sexuality.

Paris Review
This remarkable early postmodern classic, rediscovered after more than half a century, is a testament to the brilliance of one of Nabokov's fellow émigré writers.

A man stumbles upon a short story that vividly recounts, from the victim's perspective, the murder he committed long ago. This story, which should never have existed, can only be authored by a deceased individual. Thus, begins an enigmatic quest to uncover the elusive writer behind this extraordinary tale:

Alexander Wolf

The Spectre of Alexander Wolf stands as a singular masterpiece, blending psychological thriller and profound existential exploration into themes of guilt, redemption, coincidence, and fate. Part of the esteemed Pushkin Press Classics series, this collection showcases timeless storytelling by renowned icons of literature, carefully curated from across the globe.

Translated by Bryan Karetnyk, Gaito Gazdanov's (1903-1971) journey began at the tender age of sixteen when he enlisted in the White Army, participating in the Russian Civil War. Exiled in Paris from the 1920s onward, he eventually found solace as a nocturnal taxi driver, swiftly gaining recognition on the literary scene as a novelist, essayist, critic, and short-story writer. His profound literary prowess earned him the admiration of figures such as Maxim Gorky, solidifying his place as a revered figure in the world of literature.

Weight: 162g
Dimension: 128 x 198 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781805330233